The ‘future of learning’ to arrive in Southland classrooms
“It’s about changing how kids are learning. It’s less about bookwork and more about practical, real-world tech skills. The students are learning by doing, and that’s what makes the difference."
Shaz Reece is a former journalist who now works in the philanthropic sector.
The classroom environment is set for a major shift as Southland students gain access to a new, technology-focused learning programme.
Developed by Your Corps founder James Wards in partnership with Invercargill training consultancy Front-Line Training, the programme allows students to earn NCEA credits by building and recycling computers from e-waste, offering a hands-on, environmentally friendly, and modern approach to education.
“It’s about changing how kids are learning. It’s less about bookwork and more about practical, real-world tech skills. The students are learning by doing, and that’s what makes the difference,” says Front-Line Training director Pauline Steedman.
The programme introduces cutting-edge digital learning methods, designed to suit rangatahi, she says.
“They’ve got all the gear in front of them, and the material is easy to teach and easy to learn.
And one of the best parts about this is that it’s green. It’s recycling technology, giving the opportunity to provide young people who might not have been able to acquire a gaming computer the opportunity to do that, and that’s as good as it gets really.”
James Wards, who founded Your Corps to create opportunities for rangatahi through technology and gaming, highlights how vital these digital skills are. The standards allow rangatahi to demonstrate knowledge of computing hardware and software, troubleshooting issues, and configuring devices, all of which will prepare them for the tech-driven future, Wards says.
“If you’re expected to enter the workforce without a strong understanding of technology, you’ll struggle. This programme teaches those skills in a way that’s engaging and relevant to the future.”
The program is supported by funding from Te Rourou, One New Zealand’s charitable foundation. Community Catalyst Stac Hughes says James’ approach to breaking barriers for young people through technology was precisely the innovation needed to tackle modern issues and support digital inclusion.
“We know something needs to change. The traditional ways of thinking aren’t working for our rangatahi and programmes like this are offering a more accessible and relevant pathway for them to explore, in a way that best suits their needs. Supporting James in this tech-focused venture was an easy decision to make.”
The programme will continue to shift toward developing new delivery methods to enhance the learning, aiming to explore innovative approaches to curriculum delivery, including hands-on experiences, as well as varied pedagogical strategies that cater to different learning styles, Steedman says.
“These next steps will involve refining the programme and implementing diverse, effective methods of instruction that reflect the evolving landscape of technology and education. By doing so, the initiative seeks to maximise its impact and continue fostering a dynamic learning environment for Southland students.”
The programme will be available to local schools from next year.
This article was supported by Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation as part of its Invercargill Initiative.
Just "doing" is the wrong approach. Students need to understand what they are doing so "bookwork" is just as important. This is not progress! Just a lazy way to teach poorly!